How Government Efforts Are Making Air Travel Better: A Comprehensive Analysis
, by Unboxify, 4 min reading time
Is Flying Getting Better? How the Government is Trying to Improve Air Travel ✈️
Whenever I book a flight, I sort of play through a sliding scale of unfortunate scenarios: I worry that my bag will get lost, that my flight will be delayed, or maybe it'll be canceled altogether. The good news is that help may be on the way. The federal government is making some decent efforts to make flying suck a little less.
High-Profile Airline Meltdowns: A Look Back 🛑
Over the past few years, there have been some pretty high-profile airline meltdowns. For instance, in December 2022, Southwest experienced a giant breakdown, leading to the cancellation of about 177,000 flights and 2 million passengers being stranded during the holiday season.
Deregulation's Long Shadow 📜
The airline industry was deregulated in 1978 under Jimmy Carter, shifting from being a government-regulated essential service to a free-market model. The government used to control how much airlines could charge, but the 1970s movement to deregulate aimed to increase competition and lower prices. While prices did go down, the level of service also changed significantly.
Airline Industry Consolidation 🏢
Following deregulation, there has been a lot of consolidation in the airline industry. Today, just four airlines—Delta, American, United, and Southwest—control about 70% of the market. This means that despite the seeming number of airlines, the market is not very competitive. These few airlines often do what they want regarding booking and pricing due to this dominance.
The Hub System 🔄
Another outcome of deregulation is the hub system. You might have noticed that flying to smaller locations often requires passing through a large, out-of-the-way hub. This setup benefits airlines but often inconveniences passengers.
Profit Over Passengers 💸
At the end of the day, airlines are for-profit companies answerable to shareholders, meaning they often prioritize profits over passenger experience. Many experts believe that fixing the airline industry may require big structural changes.
Government Interventions: A Ray of Hope 🌟
The Biden Administration is making efforts to step in and improve airline services. Historically, the airline industry faces cycles of self-inflicted issues, consumer complaints, and eventual government intervention.
The New Refund Rule 💵
The Department of Transportation (DoT) has implemented a new cash refund rule. If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, airlines must issue an automatic refund in cash or credit card rather than a voucher. Previously, passengers might have been trapped into re-booking with the same airline, even if they were dissatisfied.
Service Fee Refunds 💺
- If you pay for Wi-Fi and it doesn't work, you get your money back.
- If you pay for a seat that isn't available, the airline must refund you.
Congress has included these refund rules in legislation, addressing cancellations and delays.
Tackling Junk Fees 💰
The Biden Administration has termed extra charges like baggage fees, reservation changes, and seat selection as "junk fees." The proposed rule doesn't ban these fees but mandates upfront disclosure, making it easier for passengers to compare prices. While airlines are challenging this rule in court, claiming it’s outside the DoT's jurisdiction and potentially confusing for consumers, many believe a simple, transparent approach could resolve these issues.
Flying Less Confusing 🧩
Transparency is key to overcoming ticket price obfuscation. Imagine seeing a $200 flight that eventually costs $350 after all hidden fees. This rule aims to prevent such surprises. However, the rule is currently held up in court.
Family-Friendly Policies 👨👩👧👦
Another proposed rule addresses the seating of parents and children. Parents won't be charged extra to sit next to their kids aged 13 and younger. While some airlines already follow this practice, it's not universal, and the rule aims to standardize it.
Comparative Dashboard 📊
The DoT has developed a dashboard that allows consumers to compare different service fees across airlines. It details which airlines offer free family seating and free rebooking during delays or cancellations.
Lingering Problems in Air Travel 🛑
Despite these governmental efforts, numerous issues still plague air travel. The FAA is lacking thousands of air traffic controllers, affecting both scheduling and safety. Other ongoing problems include expensive airports, long security lines, and various other inconveniences.
Structural Changes Needed ⚙️
While the Biden Administration's marginal improvements are welcomed, what’s really needed are more structural changes. Unfortunately, such significant overhauls don't seem to be on the immediate horizon.
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